Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 was introduced in January 2010 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS was introduced in March 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 Highlights

      • 14.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Highlights

      • 10.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.80" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 over Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.2 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 vs 3648 x 2736
      Center Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/3200 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
      Lighter 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) vs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A450.

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX1 IS over Sony Alpha DSLR-A450.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Video Capture vs
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 1,600
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Fixed vs Fully Articulated
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.80"
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/500 sec
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Internal Storage vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Image StabilizationSensor Shift
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Low Resolution Sensor14.2 Megapixel10.0 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points99
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot SX1 IS selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderCanon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has 100% coverage magnification.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS features a 10.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 3056, 4592 x 2576, 3344 x 2224, 3344 x 1872, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 1050 shots and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS comes with AA batteries (NiMH recommended) battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A450, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and 5.20 m on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 body has dimensions of 137 x 104 x 81 mm (5.39 x 4.09 x 3.19") and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS body has dimensions of 128 x 88 x 88 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.46"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 weighs 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS weighs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz).

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      137 mm

      104 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      128 mm

      88 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      104 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      88 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      81 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      88 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      77
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      81
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and give them scores of 60 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      59

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      71
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      71
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      80
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      48
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A450

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      POOR
      48
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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